Suspended councillors threaten government
The suspensions followed leadership squabbles, lack of service delivery and alleged mismanagement of funds at the Rundu and Okahandja local authorities.
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
Suspended Rundu and Okahandja councillors are threatening to take legal action against the government if urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni does not reinstate them with immediate effect.
The councillors have forwarded comprehensive letters of appeal to Uutoni.
Uutoni yesterday confirmed receiving the letters, saying they were handed over to the Office of the Attorney-General for a legal opinion.
His predecessor Peya Mushelenga on 10 March gazetted a notice in which he suspended the councillors.
Stormy seas
Mushelenga's decision, which was made just days before he was appointed information minister by President Hage Geingob, followed constant leadership squabbles, lack of service delivery and the alleged mismanagement of funds at the two local authorities.
Representing the suspended Okahandja councillors, lawyer Silas-Kishi Shakumu said in a letter to Uutoni - dated 11 April - that they will lodge an urgent application at the High Court if the minister did not respond before 13:00 yesterday.
Shakumu said the councillors should be reinstated unconditionally and with immediate effect, and that Okahandja CEO Martha Mutilifa should remain on suspension until the end of June.
Ill-advised and unfair
Meanwhile, the Rundu councillors remain adamant that Mushelenga was ill-advised and that his decision to suspend them was unfair.
“The councillors do not dispute that the minister has the powers to suspend them.
What the councillors take issue with is the procedure adopted when the minister exercised his power, which adversely affected their right to be heard prior to the decision to suspend them was taken. In suspending the councillors, the minister was obliged to act lawfully, procedurally and fairly,” their appeal reads.
The letter was signed by Anastacia Antonio, Toni Hausiku, Mathews Wakudumo and Isak Kandingu. Last week, the chairperson of the Rundu Concerned Citizens Association, Reginald Ndara, held a media conference where he also called on the minister to reinstate the councillors.
RUNDU
Suspended Rundu and Okahandja councillors are threatening to take legal action against the government if urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni does not reinstate them with immediate effect.
The councillors have forwarded comprehensive letters of appeal to Uutoni.
Uutoni yesterday confirmed receiving the letters, saying they were handed over to the Office of the Attorney-General for a legal opinion.
His predecessor Peya Mushelenga on 10 March gazetted a notice in which he suspended the councillors.
Stormy seas
Mushelenga's decision, which was made just days before he was appointed information minister by President Hage Geingob, followed constant leadership squabbles, lack of service delivery and the alleged mismanagement of funds at the two local authorities.
Representing the suspended Okahandja councillors, lawyer Silas-Kishi Shakumu said in a letter to Uutoni - dated 11 April - that they will lodge an urgent application at the High Court if the minister did not respond before 13:00 yesterday.
Shakumu said the councillors should be reinstated unconditionally and with immediate effect, and that Okahandja CEO Martha Mutilifa should remain on suspension until the end of June.
Ill-advised and unfair
Meanwhile, the Rundu councillors remain adamant that Mushelenga was ill-advised and that his decision to suspend them was unfair.
“The councillors do not dispute that the minister has the powers to suspend them.
What the councillors take issue with is the procedure adopted when the minister exercised his power, which adversely affected their right to be heard prior to the decision to suspend them was taken. In suspending the councillors, the minister was obliged to act lawfully, procedurally and fairly,” their appeal reads.
The letter was signed by Anastacia Antonio, Toni Hausiku, Mathews Wakudumo and Isak Kandingu. Last week, the chairperson of the Rundu Concerned Citizens Association, Reginald Ndara, held a media conference where he also called on the minister to reinstate the councillors.
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